Residents and trustees urge careful study of Levittsburg Dam removal; commissioners call for lower temperature and a written plan

Residents and elected township trustees pressed the Board of Trumbull County Commissioners during public comment to reconsider or delay removal of the Levittsburg Dam and to seek clearer, written alternatives from Metro Parks and state regulators.

Multiple speakers from Warren Township — including Faye Smith, Nancy Ritz and trustee Kaye Anderson — urged the commissioners to account for localized flooding risk, sediment contamination and long recovery timelines described in Metro Parks documents and Army Corps draft materials. Speakers cited concerns that releasing sediments could raise waterborne contaminants downstream and that bank stability and property impacts require more study before removal.

Faye Smith said she had reviewed Metro Parks materials and a draft Army Corps document and expressed concern about dredging costs and contaminated sediment: “If you read the original draft recon report ... it was going to cost a hundred million dollars ... to properly dredge and filter the muck.” Nancy Ritz said trustees had been told removal would stop flooding in Braceville — a claim she called inaccurate — and she urged scrutiny of Metro Parks' board appointments for potential conflicts of interest.

Trustee Kaye Anderson, representing Warren Township trustees, told the board trustees had paid for an independent review (DLZ) that found at least one alternative — a rock ripple — and that Metro Parks had not met with trustees to consider that option. Anderson said the trustee board would continue to press for options that protect residents’ health and property.

Commissioner Rick Hernandez and Commissioner Malloy said they share residents’ concerns and asked Metro Parks to engage in an “amicable” negotiated path forward; Hernandez and Malloy said they would seek written, agreed plans for any alternative to full removal so state regulators (Ohio EPA, ODNR) could evaluate them. Hernandez said the county wants to “lower the temperature” and return stakeholders to the table.

Metro Parks and its counsel were discussed in multiple comments. Speakers referenced Metro Parks' online materials and legal actions (including an injunction and related appeals) that, they said, limit Metro Parks' ability to negotiate. Trustee Anderson and several residents said Metro Parks declined to meet with trustees and that Metro Parks staff had taken actions at Canoe City (tree removal and gating) that frustrated residents.

The commissioners did not take a formal vote on the dam during the meeting. They said they would continue outreach to state agencies and Metro Parks and encouraged stakeholders to provide written, jointly agreed plans the Ohio EPA and ODNR could evaluate.